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The 616 Never Felt So Home

Life is better at the lake

Jan 17, 2017

Going away to college and being away from home leads to achieving a degree, getting a sense of greater self worth, becoming a more independent person, and figuring out a sense of purpose in life. But it also makes for an appreciation of where one comes from. Sometimes, it takes being away from home to fully understand how lucky one is to fully appreciate it. Here are some things I've realized that I take for granted while I'm away at school.

1. Being less than 5 miles from Lake Michigan

The sandy shores of Lake Michigan and days of building sand castles: basically your childhood

2. Fredrick Meijer Gardens

A great place for family fun! There is something exciting happening every season too, so you don't get bored. Plus the new Japanese Garden is spectacular!

3. Taking the highway vs. two lane roads

70 is the average speed limit.

4. Being surrounded by water

The #1 cause of traffic jams: bridges, water ways, etc.

5. Art Prize

Experience art from around the world Downtown Grand Rapids-no words can describe how amazing it is.

6. West Michigan Whitecaps baseball games

A fun, eventful way to watch baseball

7. Grand Rapids Griffins hockey games

Van Andel Arena is an awesome place to watch a game, or go see Disney on Ice

8. The cornfields of Coopersville, Allendale, and Eastmanville

Embrace your inner country, plus support local farming

9. M-231

The new 7-mile bypass that avoids the craziness of the Grand Haven traffic

10. Coast Guard Festival

Sweet summertime

11. Walking the Grand Haven Pier

Whether it is 70 or 7 degrees, it is always a sight to see

12. Tulip Time in Holland

Celebrate spring with some Dutch culture and colorful flowers

13. Gerald R. Ford Museum

The only presidential library in Michigan

14. Hiking trails for miles (and miles)

Take some time and EXPLORE

15. The basic everyday apparel of “Lake Michigan Unsalted” shirts and jeans

16. Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl

Ask for Kennedy as your ski instructor

17. St. Andrew's Cathedral

A stunning Catholic Church

18. Farmer’s Markets

Farm fresh and local

19. Michigan’s Adventure

Two parks for the price of one (FUN FUN)

20. Always ending the day with a sunset

Joy delights in joy

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This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.

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The 616 Never Felt So Home

Life is better at the lake

1. Being less than 5 miles from Lake Michigan

2. Fredrick Meijer Gardens

3. Taking the highway vs. two lane roads

4. Being surrounded by water

5. Art Prize

6. West Michigan Whitecaps baseball games

7. Grand Rapids Griffins hockey games

8. The cornfields of Coopersville, Allendale, and Eastmanville

9. M-231

10. Coast Guard Festival

11. Walking the Grand Haven Pier

12. Tulip Time in Holland

13. Gerald R. Ford Museum

14. Hiking trails for miles (and miles)

15. The basic everyday apparel of “Lake Michigan Unsalted” shirts and jeans

16. Mulligan’s Hollow Ski Bowl

17. St. Andrew's Cathedral

18. Farmer’s Markets

19. Michigan’s Adventure

20. Always ending the day with a sunset

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Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

Don't freak out

Email the professor

Attend the first class

Keep attending class

Have a backup plan

Remember that everything works out at the end

It's mandatory to have these conversations.

1. What do you do for a living?

2. What's your favorite color?

3. Do you have any siblings?

4. What's your favorite television show?

5. When is your birthday?

6. What's your biggest goal in life?

7. If you had three wishes granted to you by a genie, what would they be?

8. What's your favorite childhood memory?

9. If you could change one thing about your life, what would it be?

10. Are you a cat or a dog person?

11. Do you believe in a religion or any sort of spiritual power?

12. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be?

13. What is your ideal date night?

14. Who was/is your celebrity crush?

15. What's a good way to cheer you up if you're having a bad day?

16. Do you have any tattoos?

17. Can you describe yourself in three words?

18. What makes you the most nervous in life?

19. What's the best gift you have ever received?

20. What do you do to relax/have fun?

21. What are your priorities at this phase of your life?

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

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Ingredients

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There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

A bad day at the lake is still better than a good day not at the lake.

You know the best beaches and coves to go to.

You have no patience for the guy who can't back his trailer into the water right.

Doing the friendly wave to every boat you pass.

The cooler is always packed, mostly with beer.

Giving the idiot who goes 30 in a "No Wake Zone" a piece of your mind.

You have no problem with peeing in the water.

You know the frustration of getting your anchor stuck.

Watching in awe at the bigger, better boats that pass by.

Knowing any swimsuit that you own with white in it is best left for the pool or the ocean.

The momentary fear for your life as you get launched from the tube.

You're able to go to the restaurants by the water wearing minimal clothing.

Having unexpected problems with your boat.

Having a name for your boat unique to you and your life.

There's no better place you'd rather be in the summer.

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

1. My school is incredibly unique.

2. I am not just a number at my school.

3. I feel like I am contributing something to the community.

5. My professors know me and I feel that I can easily communicate with them.

6. The incredible people I've met

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